Re a leboga (many thanks) from Botswana!

UT Study Abroad Botswana 2014 has come to a close. The majority of students left this afternoon for their respective destinations. Some are heading off to travel in Zambia, Mozambique, and South Africa, while others will be headed back home to Texas. Three remaining students will fly out of Maun tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make these past six weeks a blast! In addition to the fantastic students, we would like to give thanks to the great people and organizations that made this trip possible:

Thakadu Bush Camp

 Thanks to Chris and Jeanette for their gracious hospitality during our time in Ghanzi, as well as Riana, Sylvie and Kassie for all of their help.

Kitso Safaris

For running our base camps in Ghanzi and Maun, and for providing their guidance and knowledge while on safari in CKGR and Moremi, thanks to Colin, Daryl, Zebra, and the rest of the Kitso staff.

UT Study Abroad

For months of planning, advertising, and endless support.

UT Geography & the Environment

Lastly, thanks to the UT Department of Geography & the Environment for their continued support in this program.

One last group photo before everyone departs.

Basket Weaving in Maun

On Monday, we visited a local women's basket weaving cooperative in town. We took lessons on basket weaving and by the end of the day had our own hand-made baskets to take home with us. While here, we also learned about the veld products used for basket production and the significance of some different weaving patterns.

Olivia weaving her basket.

Ben and his basket.

Melissa with her almost-finished basket.

Everyone focused on weaving.

Student Presentations (Aubrey, Joyce, and Bianca)

We've finished up our student article presentations over the past couple of days while at Camp Kitso. Yesterday, Aubrey presented on the effects of Community-Based Natural Resource Management on employment rates, household income, and livelihood strategies in the Okavango Delta region. 

After lunch, Joyce presented on the effectiveness of basket weaving for improving rural livelihoods and providing additional sources of income for these households. We will get to see locally produced baskets this Monday at a women's basket weaving cooperative here in Maun.

This morning, Bianca spoke about land management and policy change in the Lake Ngami region, located roughly 100 kilometers south of Maun. Recently, a large amount of the traditionally communal lands in this area have been privatized by policies aimed at reducing impact to these lands, resulting in a "shrinking of the commons."

Aubrey and her presentation on Community-Based Natural Resource Management in the Delta.

Joyce (with her melon) and her creative presentation on basket weaving in the Delta.

Bianca with her presentation on land management policy implications in the Lake Ngami region.

Student Presentations (Melissa and Jake)

While on safari in Moremi Game Reserve we had two student presentations from Melissa and Jake. Melissa presented on the diversity of species within the Okavango Delta. The region hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna, with 1300 plants, 71 fish species, 33 amphibians, 64 reptiles, 444 birds, and 122 mammals.

Jake presented on local attitudes towards three Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) projects within the Okavango Delta. These projects have been embraced by local communities, which help financially support villages and in turn have modernized these region's once subsistence lifestyles.

Melissa with her presentation on species diversity in the Okavango Delta.

Jake and his presentation on CBNRM projects in the Okavango Delta.

Moremi Game Reserve

We are now back in Maun from an amazing 4 nights in Moremi Game Reserve. We explored the wetland ecosystem, learned about its environment, and had some great encounters with wildlife such as lions, African wild dogs, spotted hyena, giraffes, hippos, and lots of elephants.

We are spending our last few days until July 10th (when the program ends) at Kitso Camp in Maun. We have several things planned including a boat cruise for July 4th, visiting a local basket weaving association, and several guest lectures by local researchers on various topics from environmental monitoring to dynamics of local livelihoods.

Viewing African wild dogs on the drive towards our campsite on the first day in Moremi.

Our campsite.

Will enjoying a book during our lunch break.

Geoff and our safari guide Daryl.

Daryl showing us a bull frog, which usually hibernates during the winter months.

Driving across Mboma Island.

Two giraffes we watched during a cookie break.

One of multiple water crossings.

Elephants roaming in the floodplain before sunset.

Watching two male lions up close.

African wild dogs getting ready for a hunt.

UT study abroad group photo.

Moremi Game Reserve...

We are now back in Maun. The student phones are back up and running. Maun is having internet problems today so we will try to upload photos from Moremi Game Reserve again tomorrow.

Leaving for Moremi Game Reserve

Tomorrow morning we head out for safari into the Moremi Game Reserve for four nights. We will again be without cell phone service but will have our satellite phone turned on from 7-8 (Botswana time) for emergencies only.

The satellite phone number: 00881631627587

We are eager to experience a drastically different environment as we venture into the wetlands of the Okavango Delta. We will update the blog with pictures and details when we return to Maun, where we will be staying for the remainder of the program.

Student Presentations (Clinton and Jay)

While on safari in Central Kalahari Game Reserve, we had two student presentations on social and environmental interactions. Clinton presented on the dynamics of multiple variables in response to land use change in Botswana. He covered a range of topics including natural resources, environmental controls, population factors, and policy implementation.

Jay presented on the establishment of a decision support system for land owners in Botswana. His article looked at regional differences in the success of land management programs and discussed strategies for improving these programs.

Clinton with his presentation on social and environmental variability.

Jay presenting on the implementation of decision support systems for land managers in Botswana.

Central Kalahari Game Reserve

After Modisa, we drove into Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which is the second largest game reserve in the world (52,800 square kilometers). The reserve is a true wild African savanna. We saw bat-eared foxes, honey badgers, jackals, giraffes, aardwolves, several cheetahs, and lots of antelopes. We were particularly lucky to watch three cheetahs hunt a herd of springbok and thereafter a herd of gemsbok.

Entering CKGR at one of the main entrances.

 Sunrise our first morning in CKGR.

Deception Valley.

Everyone using their binoculars to get a closer look of the three cheetahs.

 One of the three cheetahs.

Driving through Deception Valley.

Student Presentation (Leigh)

During our stay at Modisa Conservation Project, Leigh presented on the effects of veterinary fences on the wildlife of Botswana. These fences were erected to protect valuable grazing land for cattle ranching in Botswana from diseases spread by wildlife. Leigh explained the economic value of Botswana cattle export while discussing the impact of the fences on wildlife migrations.

Leigh presenting on the veterinary fences of Botswana.

Modisa Conservation Project

We left our camp at Thakadu on a cold morning last Saturday and drove to Modisa Conservation Project. Val and Mikkel started Modisa in 2010 on a 10,000 hectare wildlife farm located next to Central Kalahari Game Reserve. They take care of "problem" predators, including lions, leopards, and African wild dogs, which have been captured due to human-wildlife conflicts. Val also raised a lioness, called Sirga, by hand after she was abandoned by her mother. Sirga is now two and a half years old. Val and Mikkel establised Modisa in order to raise awareness about conservation and human-wildlife conflicts though a volunteer program in the African savanna.

Driving towards Modisa.

Leaving the paved road behind as we continue on dirt tracks until we got back to Maun yesterday.

Watching and taking photos as the lions get fed.

Val explaining how to behave while we watch him walk with Sirga.

Sirga excited to go for a walk, giving Val a hug.

Sirga and Val playing with melons and climbing a tree.

Leaving for Safari!

Tomorrow we are leaving our camp at Thakadu and heading out on safari for the next 12 days. We will not have cell phone coverage during this time (except for a refueling day in Maun on the 27th of June). We will, however, continue to turn our satellite phone on between 7-8 PM (Botswana time). This phone is still for emergencies only.

The satellite phone number: 00881631627587

Everyone is excited for the days to come as we explore Modisa Conservation Project, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Moremi Game Reserve. We will post photos and details once back in town.

Aerial photo of our camp at Thakadu during a campfire lecture.

Student Presentations (Will and Sam)

Yesterday, Will spoke to the class about Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), an initiative which places local communities in charge of the management of natural resources. Due to differing views of how certain resources should be managed, the success of these initiatives has been brought into question in recent years.

Sam presented today on historical land tenure change in southern African savannas. His article examined the influences of past colonial regimes in Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa on environmental and social factors.

Will stands next to his creative presentation on Community Based Natural Resource Management.

Sam teaches the class about land tenure change in southern Africa.

San Bushman Walk

Yesterday evening we experienced a display from locals of the San Bushmen traditions and culture, including the medicinal uses of vegetation, fire making, and song and dance.

San Bushmen in traditional clothing explain the use of a young Catophractes alexandri, used for the rejuvenation of tired joints.

Jake tastes the bitter shrub.

Paige has a go at traditional fire making.

Clinton goes next.

Later that night we were invited to join around the fire and experience the song and dance of the San Bushmen. Here is Ben joining the circle.

Olivia dancing next to one of the Bushmen.

The whole group joins in.

Student Introductions (8/8)

Lastly, Melissa and Bianca will introduce themselves and express thanks to those who helped fund and support their experience here in Botswana.

Dumelang! Ke nna Melissa. I am double majoring in Geography and Russian, with a minor in Geology. My concentration is GIS, but I’m also very interested in environmental geography, especially the topic of climate change. I decided to study abroad in Africa because it’s a region I’ve always wanted to go to, and the classes offered match my interests. The main thing I wanted to get out of this trip is actual experience doing fieldwork and a better understanding of all it entails. I want to thank the College of Liberal Arts, my grandparents and my mother for the support to make this trip possible.

Dumelang. My name is Bianca Sicich, but I am known better around the camp as Bianca “The Bush Baby,” player for the series-leading bushball team, the Kalahari Killers. When I’m not travelling, I study Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Next semester will be my second at the University as a transfer student. I’m a native Austinite, and although I occasionally get a yearning for Torchy’s Tacos or Juiceland, I do love it here in Ghanzi. Biology is one of my major interests, so it has been wonderful to get hands-on field experience and learn about the vegetation, wildlife, people, and culture of the Kalahari and Botswana in general. I plan to continue travelling abroad throughout my life to familiarize myself with as many cultures as possible. This is very important to me. I thank my parents for their support of this trip. There is no way I could have reached this point in my education, moral consciousness, or life without their help. I also thank my grandma Sicich for helping out with funds, and all my friends in Austin and beyond for being excited for me. This is a baby step into the life I long to lead!!

Student Presentation (Ben)

Ben presented today on the influences of differing land use regimes on the abundance of livestock and wildlife in Southwestern Botswana. His article examined vegetation dynamics in response to four land management areas, including ranches, communal grazing areas, wildlife management areas, and national parks. 

Ben and his map of Southwestern Botswana land use areas.